The fourth season race of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at Monza (ITA) made history. For the first time in the history of the race series, a car not competing in the Pro class clinched the overall victory. The sensational winners were Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), Jens Klingmann (GER), and Sam De Haan (GBR) in the #30 BMW M4 GT3 from OQ by Oman Racing run by WRT. At the end of the chaotic three-hour race, the Bronze Cup trio triumphed over the #32 BMW M4 GT3 driven by Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor, and Charles Weerts (both BEL). This meant not only a one-two result for Team WRT but also a win in the Pro Cup, securing crucial overall standings points in the GT World Challenge Europe title fight.
The one-two result was all the more extraordinary because both cars were involved in start collisions and had almost a lap deficit within minutes. Thanks to outstanding strategy, both crews fought their way back to the front during the race. In the final laps, Klingmann, under immense pressure from Vanthoor and the third-placed Ferrari, drove to victory with nerves of steel. The #46 BMW M4 GT3, driven by Raffaele Marciello (SUI), Maxime Martin (BEL), and Valentino Rossi (ITA), also gave a strong performance, finishing in fifth place.
ROWE Racing experienced a disappointing race Sunday. In qualifying, the weekend ended for the crew of the #98 BMW M4 GT3. Maxime Oosten (NED) lost control of the car and spun into the tyre barriers. The BMW M4 GT3 was so heavily damaged that a race start for Oosten and his two driver colleagues Marco Wittmann (GER) and Robin Frijns (NED) became impossible. Oosten and Frijns replaced IMSA regular drivers Philipp Eng (AUT) and Nick Yelloly (GBR), who were in action in Indianapolis (USA) simultaneously. The #998 BMW M4 GT3, starting from tenth place, had an outstanding race for over two hours and was even in the lead at times. However, after a problem during a tyre change, final driver Max Hesse (GER) had to make an additional stop. That pushed him and his driver colleagues Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Dan Harper (GBR) significantly down the order.
Century Motorsport celebrated a very strong second place on the podium in the Bronze Cup with Jake Dennis, Darren Leung, and Toby Sowery (all GBR). BMW Italia Ceccato Racing competed with the #15 BMW M4 GT3 at its home event and finished ninth in the Bronze Cup.
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “What a crazy race! With this extremely complicated race progression, Team WRT showed its class and celebrated a one-two thanks to great strategic decisions. Congratulations both to the #30 crew for the historic first overall victory for a Bronze Cup car, and to the #32 crew for a fantastic comeback, great fighting spirit, and very important points in the title fight. After the two podium finishes last weekend in FIA WEC, the WRT team can continue its positive run. Hopefully, it continues this way. Congratulations also to Century Motorsport for the Bronze Cup podium and to BMW Italia Ceccato Racing for a successful appearance at its home event. I feel very sorry for ROWE Racing. Despite a very good performance in the race, the team did not have the necessary luck to achieve the deserved results.”
Ahmad Al Harthy (#30 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, 1st place): “We made history today. Standing on top of the podium and seeing our flag waving there is an incredible feeling. Thanks to everyone who made this victory possible – to OQ by Oman Racing, Team WRT for the fantastic strategy, to BMW Oman for their never-ending support and trust in me, and to BMW M Motorsport for the great car. I am insanely proud of everyone.”
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